Accounts & Passwords

Accounts

Your user@tulane.edu account grants access to email, Canvas and Gibson, the eduroam wireless network, and Tulane owned computers.

Tulane Account User ID/email address are automatically created using the first letter of the first name and first seven letters, extra letters are excluded, of the last name. If the resulting User ID/e-mail address is currently used or has been previously used variations are assigned by the system.

Email Address Changes

Requests from students to change Tulane Account User ID, also called the alias and/or email address will be honored for legal name changes only.

Faculty and staff members can specify a desired account name at the time of account creation and we will try to accommodate that request. Changes to existing accounts can be granted in cases where the preferred name has a different first initial at the discretion of the Office of Information Security. To inquire about this please send an email to accounts@tulane.edu.

If the assigned user name or display name has a typographical or syntax error, that is an indication that your record in the payroll and/or student record system contains the same error. We can correct the problem once fixed by either the Registrar or WFMO.

Display Name Changes

Names can be changed to reflect a commonly accepted nickname, and are accommodated at the discretion of the Information Security Office. For instance, a change from Nicholas to Nick can be accommodated by submitting a ticket to the Technology Support and Network Operations Center (TSNOC).

Should you have any questions or concerns please contact the Technology Support and Network Operations Center at 504-862-8888.

Email Account Expiration

Student email remains valid for life after the student completes 12 hours of coursework during 2009 or later. Students do not need to do anything to keep the account active.

Staff accounts are valid for 30 days post employment termination.

Faculty accounts are valid for one year post employment termination.

If a department terminates someone for cause and needs to suspend access sooner than 30 days, then the department head/chair needs to contact our new Technology Support and Network Operations Center at 504-862-8888.

Passwords

Your password functions as a "key" that enables you to access the university's many electronic resources. Tulane requires that passwords change every 180 days.

This is the private part of your digital identity. You should protect and guard your password as you would your personal bankcard and PIN. You should never share your password with anyone, write it down or make it easy for someone to guess.

If you ever forget or need to reset your Tulane user account password, go to password.tulane.edu.

Password Guidelines

Overview

Passwords are an important aspect of computer security. They are the front line of protection for user accounts. A poorly chosen password may result in the compromise of Tulane University's entire network. As such, all students, faculty,staff, alumni, retirees, and other University affiliates (including contractors and vendors with access to Tulane University systems) are responsible for selecting and securing their passwords as outlined below.

Password Creation

The following password guidelines are based upon experience and common sense.The software used to change passwords will screen for most of these guidelines as an aid in creating secure passwords. This does not relieve a person of responsibility for creating and securing a good password.

  • The password must be at least six characters in length. (Longer is generally better.)
  • The password should not be a word in the dictionary
  • The password must be in mixed case (upper- and lower-case letters)
  • The password must contain at least one numeric character.
  • The password cannot be the same as the user ID.
  • Special characters may be used to strengthen the password. Examples of permitted special characters are $. , ! % ^ *
  • The password should not be information easily obtainable about you such as your license plate number, social security number, telephone number, or street address.

 Password Protection

  • If someone demands a password, refer them to this document or have them call someone in the Information Security Office.  
  • We strongly suggest that you do not use the same password for Tulane University accounts as for other non-Tulane University access.Where possible, do not use the same password for all of your Tulane accounts.
  • Do not share Tulane University passwords with anyone, including administrative assistants or secretaries. All passwords should be treated as sensitive and confidential. If someone demands a password, refer them to this document or have them call someone in the Information Security Office.
  • Do not use the "Remember Password" feature of web applications.
  • Do not write passwords down and store them anywhere in your office. Do not store passwords in a file on ANY computer system (including Palm Pilots or similar devices) without encrypting the passwords.
  • Don't reveal a password over the phone to ANYONE
  • Don't reveal a password in an e-mail message
  • Don't reveal a password to your supervisor
  • Don't talk about a password in front of others
  • Don't hint at the format of a password (e.g., "my family name")
  • Don't reveal a password on questionnaires or security forms
  • Don't share a password with family members
  • Don't reveal a password to co-workers while on vacation